Garment with Improved Sleeves

ABSTRACT

A garment includes a torso portion configured to cover at least a portion of the torso of a wearer. The torso portion includes an outer sleeve corresponding to a limb of the wearer and an inner sleeve adapted the be worn in a plurality of configurations. In an embodiment, the inner sleeve is removably attachable to the torso portion and configured to be at least partially covered by an outer sleeve.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/783,363, filed Dec. 21, 2018, the disclosure of which is fully incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to garments to be worn on the body, and more particularly to outdoor garments such as vests, hoodies, jackets, coats or the like. In certain embodiments the outdoor garment includes one or more sleeves that are adapted to be worn in a plurality of configurations.

BACKGROUND

As used in this application, the term “garment” is intended to encompass any article of clothing intended to be worn on the body. Thus, a “garment,” as the term is used herein, includes a hoodie, coat, sweater, smock, scrubs, jacket, blazer, vest, shirt, pants, leggings, or any other garment that covers at least a portion of a person's torso, including lower torso (e.g., pants) or upper torso (e.g., jacket). Accordingly, although many of the embodiments described herein are described with reference to garments that at least partially cover upper body parts, such as the chest and arms, such embodiments are readily adaptable for use as lower body garments including pants or leggings that at least partially cover lower body parts, such as the lower torso and legs.

Some traditional outdoor upper body garments offer a sewn-in short extension of the sleeve that is made of a different and thinner material than the sleeve itself. When extended they cover the palmar and dorsal aspect of the hand, to act as fingerless gloves. The current design of this thinner extension is usually sewn on the end of the sleeve and around the entire circumference of the outer sleeve and is designed to be folded as part of the cuff when the outer sleeves are retracted. When the outer sleeves are rolled or pulled up the thinner extensions will pull up as well, resulting in the forearm and hand being exposed.

In addition, traditional single-layered garment’ cuffs stretch out over time and cause the garments sleeves to fall down, especially while under more physical activities.

Furthermore, when a wearer's body or surrounding temperatures rise to a level of discomfort, typical garments offer only limited ways to acclimate. For example, the only way to cool the arms is to roll up the sleeves which typically results in the forearm, wrist and hand being exposed. Moreover, when the wearer's body or surrounding temperatures drop to a level of discomfort, there is no way to acclimate or any options to employ additional layering.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention provide a unique garment with various wearable configurations and utilitarian benefits. In an example embodiment, the sleeve design allows the wearer to adapt to a wider range of temperatures while also reducing the chances of an outer sleeve slipping down.

A first general aspect of the invention is a garment with a torso portion and one or more sleeves. The torso portion is configured to cover at least a portion of the torso of a wearer. Each of the one or more sleeves is attached to the torso portion and is adapted to be selectively worn in a plurality of configurations.

In one embodiment, the at least one of the sleeves is an inner sleeve and the torso portion also includes an outer sleeve which covers or conceals at least a portion of the inner sleeve.

The plurality of configurations may include a first configuration in which a limb of the wearer passes through at least a portion of the inner sleeve. The at least a portion of the inner sleeve through which the limb passes may include a form fitting compression material that is arranged to cover the forearm, wrist or hand.

The plurality of configurations may include a second configuration in which a limb of the wearer bypasses at least a portion of an inner sleeve. The at least a portion of the inner sleeve through which the limb bypasses may include a form fitting compression material that is arranged to cover the forearm, wrist or hand.

The plurality of configurations may include a third configuration in which a limb of the wearer bypasses the entirety of the inner sleeve. In this configuration the entirety of the inner sleeve is concealed by the outer sleeve when the outer sleeve has been retracted.

A second general aspect of the invention includes a multi-functional stabilizing band. In the first function the band can be employed to substantially reduce the movement, bunching or swaying of any bypassed portions of the inner sleeve. In a second function the stabilizing band may, in one embodiment, be padded by inclusion of a portion that is thicker and/or more durable than other portions of the inner sleeve. Hence the stabilizing band provides a means to catch an outer sleeves' cuff.

A third general aspect of the invention the garment includes an inner sleeve that may have one or more of the properties described below with respect to the first and second general aspect of the invention (e.g., the inner sleeve may have multiple configurations including a by-passable configuration, a non-by-passed configuration and a thicker stabilizing band, etc.)

In one embodiment, at least one of the sleeves are removably attached to the torso portion.

In another embodiment, at least one of the sleeves is substantially permanently or semi-permanently attached to the torso portion.

In yet another embodiment, the torso portion has an opening to allow passage of a limb of the wearer and at least one of the sleeves is attached to the torso portion along only a portion of the opening. The portion that at least one of the sleeves is attached may extend along the back of a shoulder region of the torso portion.

In one embodiment, the torso portion has an opening to allow passage of a limb of the wearer and at least one of the sleeves is attached to the torso portion along an entire circumference of the opening.

In one embodiment, the at least one sleeve includes a portion that at least partially covers the hand of the wearer. For example, the at least one sleeve may include a full or fingerless glove. Alternatively, the at least one sleeve may include a first hole for the thumb of the wearer and a second hole for the non-thumb fingers of the wearer.

In one embodiment, the at least one sleeve includes pockets.

In one embodiment, the at least one sleeve may include a wide body stabilizing band. For example, the at least one sleeve may extend only to the middle of the forearm and be entirely encompassed by the stabilizing band.

Additional features of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the invention. The features of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended list of embodiments. These and other features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended list of embodiments, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify the above and other features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-section perspective view of a sleeve in accordance with in an example embodiment of a garment;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section perspective view of an inner sleeve within an outer sleeve in accordance with an example embodiment of a garment, with arrows graphically depicting the different sleeve-wearing configurations available to a wearer of the garment.

FIG. 3 is a front view of an example embodiment of a garment being worn by a wearer, showing the aesthetic differences of sleeve-wearing configurations;

FIG. 4 is a first and second front view of an example embodiment of a garment, depicting a removable sleeve feature;

FIG. 5 is a first and second side view of a sleeve worn in respective first and second ones of a plurality of available configurations in accordance with an example embodiment of a garment;

FIG. 6 is a first and second side view of a sleeve worn in another respective first and second ones of a plurality of available configurations in accordance with an example embodiment of a garment;

FIG. 7 is a list of possible variations of a sleeve in accordance with an example embodiment of a garment; and

FIG. 8 is a side view of a stabilizing band being employed to help reduce an outer sleeve from slipping down in accordance with an example embodiment of a garment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made to the figures wherein like structures will be provided with like reference designations. It is understood that the figures are diagrammatic and schematic representations of presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and are not limiting of the present invention, nor are they necessarily drawn to scale.

In certain embodiments, the sleeve may also be referred to as an inner sleeve and the torso portion may include an outer sleeve of various lengths, e.g. half sleeve hoodie, that at least partially covers the inner sleeve. The outer sleeve is part of or attached to the torso portion and is arranged in a tubular layering fashion with respect to the inner sleeve. The inner sleeve may be considered a separate entity or an extension of the torso portion when it is attached to the torso portion of a garment.

A variety of techniques may be used to affix or attach the sleeve to a garment including permanent, semi-permanent, and temporary affixing techniques. For example, in some embodiments, the sleeve is attached in a way that would allow interchangeability. Other embodiments could also include the sleeve being attached directly to an outer sleeve or outer sleeves' interior lining. Alternatively, in certain embodiments that include a short outer sleeve the inner sleeve may be attached around the entire circumference of the torsos' arm opening. Other methods such as velcro, zippers, buttons, snaps, rivets, welds, or any similarly achieved tying methods could be utilized that would provide attachment of the sleeve to the torso portion or provide interchangeable characteristics.

Embodiments of a garment described herein may provide, among other things, a plurality of sleeve-wearing configurations or options such as non-by-passable and by-passable.

According to one embodiment, when the garment is worn in the first configuration described above (i.e., a non-by-passable configuration), both the inner sleeve and outer sleeve receive and cover at least a portion of the wearer's arm. For example, the outer sleeve covers the upper and lower portions of the wearer's arm and the inner sleeve covers a specific portion of the wearer's arm, e.g., the forearm. Additionally, the inner sleeve may also cover a portion of the upper arm including the elbow. In the first configuration the outer sleeve is able to be rolled up to or past the elbow, leaving the inner sleeve fully extended, thereby providing an applicable layer of protection.

According to one embodiment, when the garment is worn in the second configuration described above (i.e., a by-pass configuration), the wearer's arm will bypass portions of the inner sleeve. In the second configuration the outer sleeve is able to be retracted up to or past the elbow, resulting in the inner sleeve remaining concealed by the outer sleeve and consequently exposing the wearer's forearm, wrist, and/or hand. Furthermore, in one embodiment the bypassed sections of the inner sleeve are folded and stowed in a pocket located on the back of the arm.

Moreover, in one embodiment, the inner sleeve is adapted to substantially reduce movement of bypassed portions of the inner sleeve. In one embodiment, this functionality is accomplished with one or more stabilizing bands that are attached to the inner sleeve. When employed the one or more stabilizing bands help prevent swaying, bunching or other involuntary movements of the inner sleeve or bypassed portions of said inner sleeve. For example, the wearer may run his/her arm through only the one or more stabilizing bands and bypass the tubular-shaped portion of the inner sleeve designated for the forearm. The one or more stabilizing bands may also provide a folding point for the bypassed section of the inner sleeve to be tucked and stowed. The stabilizing band(s) may be padded by inclusion of a portion that is thicker and/or more durable than other portions of the inner sleeve. Hence through the inclusion of a thicker stabilizing band(s) results in a means to catch an outer sleeves' cuff which reduces the chances of the outer sleeve slipping down while experiencing more physical activities. Furthermore, a stabilizing band is not restricted to a particular width and may be arranged to embody different use case scenarios for stabilizing means.

In one embodiment, the inner sleeve is a short elbow pad like sleeve and may resemble a single large bodied stabilizing band, whereas a longer inner sleeve could have stabilizing bands at different regions, e.g., each of the bicep region, the forearm region, and the wrist region of the sleeve.

In another embodiment, the inner sleeve could be full sleeved, continuous or sectional, and could cover the entirety of the wearer's forearm, wrist, and hand. In another embodiment, the inner sleeve could partially cover one or more arm sections, e.g., only the top part of the forearm and wrist or conversely the bottom of the forearm and wrist. The stabilizing bands, dorsal and palmar extensions, joint area cut outs, ventilation areas, thumb holes, pockets and any applications of padded sections should be considered attributes of the inner sleeve itself.

In addition, in certain embodiments a right inner sleeve may substantially differ from a left inner sleeve. For example, a left arm inner sleeve may be substantially shorter than a right arm inner sleeve. As another example, one inner sleeve, left or right arm, could contain a pocket or pen holding slot while the other remains pocketless.

A variety of materials may be used to construct the sleeve. For example, in one embodiment, the inner sleeve is made of a stretchy collapsible material that has a relatively tight fit and conforms to the arm similar to a compression garment. With regard to textiles, one or more portions of the inner sleeve could be formed using nylon, spandex, polyester, cotton, wool, silk, leather, faux fur or any combination of the above mentioned. Furthermore, the materials used for the inner sleeve may not have stretchy collapsible properties but may still offer the bypass utility, such as a hard leather or plastic like barrier that would substantially protect the outer forearm and elbow.

Padded sections targeting high friction areas can be directly affixed to or sewn in as a part of the sleeve, e.g., via quilting methods, and may consist of a plurality of layering. An assortment of gaps may be applied to this padding to maintain breathability, joint mobility or moisture wicking capabilities. Padded sections may include a variety of materials in high friction regions. For example, a leather, plastic, foam-like substance, or latex printing could be placed on an inner extension of the forearm, similar to an archery bracer, to further enhance the garment for outdoor sporting or hunting activities.

In FIGS. 1-8 various embodiments of a garment comprising a torso portion and an inner sleeve are depicted.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an inner sleeve that is removably attachable to a torso portion of a garment. The sleeve includes a form fitting compression sleeve section (1) that substantially covers portions of the wearer's forearm. The sleeve also includes various arrangements of stabilizing bands (2) that help reduce an outer sleeve slipping down as well as reducing any unwanted movement of bypassed portions of the inner sleeve. The sleeve may include various elements such as fingerless gloves (6) and/or a padding section (3). The male end of a zipper (4) is attached on the top or beginning of the sleeve, with the female end of a zipper being preferably sewn into a portion of the seam that attaches an outer sleeve onto the torso portion of a garment. Although the sleeve is depicted as having a continuous compression sleeve section and elbow padding section, embodiments are not limited to such constructions and may alternatively include cut out portions to allow more freedom surrounding joint areas (5).

FIG. 2 shows multiple wearable configurations. Motion (9) corresponds to the motion of the wearer's limb when the wearer employs the inner sleeve (7), outer sleeve (8) and stabilizing band (11). This option will provide a plurality of layering in both inner sleeve (7) and outer sleeve (8). Motion (10) corresponds to the motion of a wearer's limb when the wearer decides to bypass the inner sleeve entirely, for a standard single layered configuration, only the outer sleeve (8) covers the limb in this configuration. Both inner sleeve and stabilizing bands, being collapsible, result in minimal obstruction and allows the inner sleeve to be retracted while continuously being concealed by an outer sleeve. To reduce swaying, bunching, or involuntary movement of any by-passed sections of the inner sleeve (7), the wearer may optionally follow motion (12) and run the limb through only the stabilizing band (11). Bypassed sections of the inner sleeve (7) will remain concealed and stowed if only the stabilizing band is applied.

FIG. 3 shows visible results of multiple configurations according to one embodiment. If the inner sleeve (12) is bypassed, it will not be visible when an outer sleeve (14) is rolled or pulled up, resulting in the bare limb showing (13), as shown on the right side of the figure. If the inner sleeve (12) is applied (i.e., not bypassed) and worn in a double layered garment configuration, the inner sleeve (12) will be visible and remain extended, even when outer sleeve (14) has been retracted. This configuration provides a thinner compression like layering to protect the elbow, arm, forearm and/or hand area (12), as shown on the left side of the figure.

FIG. 4 shows an attaching method that allows interchangeability according to one embodiment. In the example shown, a zipper is used to attach an inner sleeve to a torso portion of a garment. The male end of a zipper (15) is sewn into only a portion of the total circumference of an outer sleeve of the torso portion. Preferably, the male end of the zipper will extend from the middle of the armpit and extend backwards and up, along the shoulder blade region. With the inner sleeve facing downwards the female end of the zipper is sewn onto the starting or top portion 16 of the inner sleeve. To attach the inner sleeve the two zippers are zipped together and the inner sleeve is rotated to face forward, according to motion (17). The inner sleeve is then passed through the outer sleeve. When the inner sleeve is in place and run through the outer sleeve, it will run primarily down the back of the tricep area, until the opening portion of the inner sleeve begins.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show various wearable configurations with stowing capabilities. For simplicity the torso portion of the garment, including the optional outer sleeve, is omitted from each of FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 5 is a first and a second side view of an inner sleeve worn in a configuration wherein the inner sleeve is entirely bypassed. The figure shows how the entirety of the inner sleeve can be bypassed, retracted, and stowed towards the back of the arm. For example, when a wearer bypasses both the inner sleeve and stabilizing band, the bypassed portions will collapse and fold towards the back side of the arm (19). The bypassed portions may then be stowed in an optional pocket located on the back tricep area, as shown by motion (20).

FIG. 6 shows a first and a second side view of an inner sleeve worn in a configuration wherein portions of the inner sleeve are partially bypassed. The figure shows that when a wearer bypasses a portion of the inner sleeve and utilizes only the stabilizing band, the stabilizing band will create a folding point and only the bypassed portion of the inner sleeve will fold towards the back side of the arm, as shown by motion (21). In some embodiments the bypassed portion is then stowed in a pocket located on the back tricep area, as shown by motion (22). Furthermore, while the bypassed portion of the inner sleeve is stowed (22) the stabilizing band remains secured around the limb to ensure stowed portion(s) of the sleeve remain stationary behind the limb.

FIG. 7 shows various embodiments of stabilizing band widths and inner sleeve constructions. The figure shows: First, an inner sleeve with stabilizing band and gloves that cover the entirety of the hand in view (23). Second, an inner sleeve with stabilizing band and partial glove that allows passage of fingers and includes a thumb hole in view (24). Third, an inner sleeve and wide body stabilizing band that ends at the wrist in view (25). Fourth, an inner sleeve and wide body stabilizing band that end shortly after the stabilizing band itself, in view (26).

FIG. 8 shows a side view of the stabilizing band (2) being employed to reduce the slipping of an outer sleeve (1) when an outer sleeve is pulled up to or past the stabilizing band (2). The band being of a sufficiently greater thickness than that of the inner sleeve will catch the cuff (3) of an outer sleeve. This thicker portion helps reduce an outer sleeve from slipping down during more physical activities. In addition (or alternatively), one or more portions of the inner sleeve are thicker than other portions of the inner sleeve and help achieve this same effect.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. For example, in one embodiment the garment may be a pair of pants or leggings and the outer and inner sleeves described above correspond to legs of the pants/leggings. Therefore, the described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the appended list of embodiments are to be embraced within the scope of the invention. 

1. A garment comprising: a torso portion configured to cover at least a portion of the torso of a wearer, the torso portion including an outer sleeve; and an inner sleeve, wherein the inner sleeve is adapted to be selectively worn in a plurality of configurations.
 2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the inner sleeve is removably attached to the torso portion of the garment.
 3. The garment of claim 1, wherein the inner sleeve is substantially permanently attached to the torso portion.
 4. The garment of claim 1, wherein the torso portion has an opening to allow passage of a limb of the wearer and the inner sleeve is attached to the torso portion along only a portion of the opening.
 5. The garment of claim 4, wherein the portion of the opening along which the inner sleeve is attached extends along the back of a shoulder region of the torso portion.
 6. The garment of claim 1, wherein the plurality of configurations includes a configuration in which a limb of the wearer bypasses one or more portions of the inner sleeve.
 7. The garment of claim 6, wherein the bypassed one or more portions of the inner sleeve are configured to remain entirely covered by the outer sleeve when the outer sleeve is at least partially retracted up the limb of the wearer.
 8. The garment of claim 6, wherein the inner sleeve is configured to facilitate folding and stowing of the bypassed one or more portions of the inner sleeve in proximity to a protruding side of a bendable region of the limb of the wearer thereby providing extra padding to the protruding side of the bendable region of the limb through a plurality of layering.
 9. The garment of claim 1, wherein the plurality of configurations includes a configuration in which a limb of the wearer passes through at least a portion of the inner sleeve.
 10. The garment of claim 9, wherein the at least a portion of the inner sleeve through which a limb passes is configured to remain fully extended when the outer sleeve is at least partially retracted up the limb of the wearer.
 11. The garment of claim 1, wherein the inner sleeve includes a sleeve section and a stabilizing band, wherein the sleeve section and the stabilizing band are adapted to be selectively bypassed.
 12. The garment of claim 11, wherein the stabilizing band is further adapted to substantially prevent movement of at least a portion of the inner sleeve, when worn in the plurality of configurations.
 13. The garment of claim 11, wherein the stabilizing band and/or one or more portions of the inner sleeve are thicker and/or more durable than other portions of the inner sleeve.
 14. The garment of claim 11, wherein the outer sleeve covers at least a portion of the inner sleeve and wherein the stabilizing band is of sufficient thickness to catch a cuff of the outer sleeve, therefore preventing the outer sleeve from slipping when the outer sleeve is pushed up the limb past the stabilizing band.
 15. The garment of claim 1, wherein the inner sleeve includes a form fitting compression sleeve section specific to the forearm.
 16. The garment of claim 15, wherein the form fitting compression sleeve includes a glove.
 17. The garment of claim 15, wherein the inner sleeve consists of a stabilizing band and is substantially less length than the outer sleeve but sufficient to remain substantially in place when the outer sleeve is selectively retracted up or extended down along the limb of the wearer. 